A 34-year-old woman appeared in the Whakatāne District Court on Monday. Photo: Pool
Health New Zealand will undertake a review after a woman allegedly murdered one person and seriously injured another inside a car.
It comes after the mental health minister's office confirmed they had been briefed on what happened.
Emergency services were called to the intersection of Flax and Matatā Roads in Bay of Plenty about 3.50pm on Saturday, after a report of two people being injured by a third person, while in a vehicle. The vehicle left the road and crashed.
One person died at the scene, while the other is in a stable condition in hospital.
- Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz
A 34-year-old woman appeared in the Whakatāne District Court on Monday before Judge Stephen Coyle on charges of murder, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Judge Coyle ordered the woman undergo assessments to see whether she is fit to plea, as well as whether she is insane.
The judge granted interim name suppression for the woman, as well as the victims. She was remanded in custody without plea to appear in the High Court on 22 October.
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has been briefed on what happened. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
A Health New Zealand spokeswoman earlier said it was limited in what it could say at this time, but confirmed it was "supporting the police investigation".
On Wednesday, a spokeswoman confirmed they would "undertake a review as we would with any serious incident".
A spokeswoman for Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey earlier said his office had been made aware of the incident "under the no surprises policy".
"The minister acknowledges this tragedy, and his thoughts are with all involved.
"As this is an ongoing police matter, the minister is unable to comment further at this time."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
